Tours and Trips in Rotorua

Hover above Mt Tarawera on a helicopter tour with a landing that includes a 20-minute guided exploration of the volcanic terrain on foot. View the geothermal landscape of crater lakes and domes from the air, then get up close to the volcanic scenery as you learn about its geologic history from your guide. You'll soar above the Northern Lakes district as you take off from Rotorua.

Take in two of New Zealand's top attractions in one day on this Rotorua and Waitomo Caves day trip from Auckland. Visit Rotorua with a guide and take in key sites including Te Puia and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. After lunch, admire fine views over Lake Rotorua on route to the famous Waitomo Caves. During your boat ride, gain insight into the caves' geological significance and marvel at the luminescent glow worms illuminating the dark caves. Upgrade to include the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to your small-group tour.

See the geothermal attractions of Rotorua on a half-day morning tour that fits into most travel schedules. Your guide takes you to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, which is famous for bubbling hot springs, the largest mud pool in New Zealand, and Lady Knox Geyser. Have time to explore the site at your own pace, then have the option to purchase lunch before your guide returns you to Rotorua.

Learn how New Zealand's Maori people have adapted to life among the geothermal activity of Rotorua on this small-group shore excursion from Tauranga. At the Living Maori Village, see how residents integrate natural elements like bubbling geysers, mud pools and steam vents into daily tasks, and watch a live cultural performance. You'll also drive past gorgeous beaches, walk through an ancient redwood forest, and taste local kiwi fruit fresh from the farm on this immersive Bay of Plenty highlights tour.

Combine three of Rotorua's top attractions with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour on this full-day adventure. In the morning, visit Te Puia Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rainbow Springs wildlife park and the Agrodome sheep farm with a knowledgeable guide who informs you about New Zealand's indigenous culture, national kiwi bird and most common farm animal. Then travel through The Shire on a tour of filming locations used in 'The Lord Of The Rings' and 'The Hobbit' series.

Bring the family to Rainbow Springs nature park for a behind-the-scenes look at New Zealand's native flora and fauna. Your all-day entrance ticket includes the Kiwi Encounter, a nocturnal enclose for this elusive national icon. Learn about kiwi conservation efforts and be entertained by the antics of parrots and other aviary species at a live bird show. The kids will love unlimited water rides on the Big Splash, a journey that takes you back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Head inland for the day without the hassle of organizing tickets and rental cars on this Rotorua day trip departing from the Port of Tauranga. Visit a number of Rotorua highlights between your departure and return, including the Te Puia Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Explore Te Puia's bubbling geothermal valley, see the explosive Pōhutu Geyser, and experience a kapa haka cultural performance performed by local Māori.

Get an authentic introduction to Maori culture with an evening at the Mitai Maori Village of Rotorua. See warriors in traditional dress paddle in an ancient canoe, and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. You'll watch 'haka' and poi dances and view glowworms in their natural habitat. This 3-hour experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional 'hangi' feast with your admission ticket.

Marvel at the volcanic wonders of Rotorua on a 6-hour tour that spins you out on the Waikato River with a thrilling jet-boat ride. Start with a guided walk past the Crater Lakes of Rainbow Mountain and check out the mud pools near Wai-O-Tapu. Your jet boat zips through Tutukau Gorge, dropping you off to explore the steaming cliffs and gushing geysers of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park on foot before completing your high-speed ride with fishtails and tight turns. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Immerse yourself in Māori culture, history and tradition during this full-day private tour to Rotorua from Auckland. Get a traditional Māori welcome followed by a cultural show at Te Puia, then continue to the Kiwi House to get a good look at New Zealand's national bird. Follow your dedicated guide through the Pikirangi Māori Village to see how the indigenous people of New Zealand lived before the European settlers arrived. Explore the mud pools and geysers in the Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley. Spend time in the Rotorua government center, then relax at a Polynesian spa or choose from a variety of other activities. Round-trip transportation from Auckland is included; all entrance fees are at your own expense.

Visit two natural attractions in Rotorua on this full-day tour. Start off at the Rotorua geothermal geyser where groups of Maori people have lived and worshipped for generations. Learn about the Maori culture and how they use the geothermal geysers, mud pools, and steam vents. Then head to the KiwiFruit Orchard cart for a guided tour and finish off with a complimentary kiwi cream.

Experience the elation of Rangitaiki River white-water rafting over Grade 3 and 4 rapids on this 6-hour adventure for physically active participants. You'll bounce over whirling white water on a thrilling run through the stunning river valley, including a section of flat water where you can relax before lunch and a hot shower. Includes gear, paddling instruction, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Rotorua.

Climb to the summit of Mt Ngongotaha on a 10-minute aerial ride aboard the Rotorua Gondola. Soak up panoramic views over the city and Lake Rotorua, and spend leisurely time at the top before making your way back down. Alternatively, opt to include one, three, or five luge rides down one of three purpose-built tracks - basic, intermediate or advanced - including a chairlift between rides.

Soar above the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Mt Tarawera on 30-minute seaplane flight from Rotorua. The expert pilot-guide navigates over the Steaming Cliffs and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, then returns via the Blue and Green Lakes and the bubbling geysers of Whakarewareewa Thermal Reserve. Experience the thrill of a water take-off and landing on Rotorua Lake, with a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.

Get acquainted with an array of New Zealand and exotic wildlife, native birds, farm animals and fish at Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, located just 10 minutes from central Rotorua. Use your all-day admission ticket to explore the exhibits, including animal feedings. Get up close to a pride of African lions, admire colorful birds in the aviary and waterfowl wetlands, and take a treetops walk in the forest canopy. This family-friendly attraction, set amid native bush, provides easy access along flat walkways in all types of weather.

Explore Rotorua and the otherworldly Waitomo Caves on this 12-hour private tour from Auckland. With your dedicated guide, travel in a private vehicle to the Waitomo Caves. Walk through the impressive underground caverns, filled with unusual rock formations. Take a boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto to see the tiny, phosphorescent creatures light up around you. Continue to Te Puia, a traditional Maori village, and Te Whakarewarewa, a geothermal valley filled with mud pools and geysers. Enjoy personal attention from your guide and the ability to modify your itinerary on this private tour. Light refreshments and round-trip transportation from Auckland are included.

Ride along dirt tracks and trails on a 30-minute or 1-hour 4WD adventure in Rotorua, and experience New Zealand off-roading. You'll explore rolling farmland and scenic native forests with an professional guide who will drive you to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. This small-group 4WD tour is limited to five participants per buggy.

Tour Wai-O-Tapu with a naturalist guide and discover the bubbling mud pools and hot springs of Rotorua's most popular geothermal park. This full-day tour with a small group delivers you to the shores of several volcanic lakes and includes a bush walk to a waterfall and the Lake Tarawera lookout. Learn about Maori history, volcanology and New Zealand's native flora and fauna along the way. Numbers are limited to a maximum 12 people to ensure an intimate experience.

Enjoy a scenic rafting tour on the Rangitaiki River during a laid-back 6-hour tour from Rotorua. Travel over Grade 2 white-water rapids on a gentle ride past tumbling waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs and forest-clad river gorges as you relax and take in the scenery. The rolling rapids make this an ideal trip for families and those looking for a more relaxed experience. Includes lunch, gear, paddling instruction and a hot shower with hotel pickup and drop-off.

While in Rotorua, take a wild and wacky ride in an Outdoor Gravity Orb (OGO). You’ll love ‘orbing’ downhill as you slide around inside an inflatable ball. Choose from three different runs — a straight slope, a multipoint harness or a curvy water ride — and get instruction before enjoying twists and turns. Document the latest thrill with a provided hand-held go pro, and relax between rides in the on-site hot tubs.